Water is one of the most important resources we have. People can survive without food for several weeks, but without water we would die in just a few days.
On a slightly less dramatic note, millions of gallons of water are needed every day worldwide for washing, irrigating crops, cooling, and industrial processes. Water is also required for many forms of recreation, such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Despite our dependence on water, we use it as a dumping ground for all sorts of waste, and do very little to protect the water supplies we have.
The Task:
You are an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Your boss, Mr. Walkerton, has just asked you to write an article in your blog about water pollution.
Mr. Walkerton has asked you to write their article in response to a number of incidents in which the water has become polluted in different areas around this area. He believes that the pamphlet will help to increase public awareness about water pollution and it will hopefully help to prevent its spread.
In your blog, Mr. Walkerton has asked you to include the following information:
What is water pollution?
What are some of the sources of water pollution?
What are some of the consequences of water pollution?
What can be done to improve the quality of water after it has become polluted?
What are some actions that can be taken to help prevent water from becoming polluted?
The Process:
You will work together in groups of two or three. Each person on your team will research and find answers to all five questions. Then you will come together to check your answers. Once you have all checked and verified that you have complete and scientifically accurate responses to all five questions then you will each begin to write your blog.
Resources:
The following is a list of Internet resources that can be used to complete this project
This site contains information about the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Information about urban water pollution and how to help prevent it can be found at this site.
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of sources of water pollution.
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of water pollution in the world's oceans .
This site will provide information on river or estuary pollution. A river or estuary is polluted when a substance that degrades the water quality enters the waterway and alters its natural functions.
Water Science for Schools from the USGS provides a lot of general information on water, its uses, etc...
Evaluation:
Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Is your blog clear and concise?
Did you accurately include all the information requested?
